THE implications of the change of government in Australia on energy and climate change policy are not yet clear, but details should emerge in the coming weeks. However, it is safe to say two things are certain. The first is that the new Labor-led government will try to reduce carbon emissions faster than the previous administration. The second is that Australia will continue to be a self-styled potential "superpower" in hydrogen, offshore wind and carbon capture and storage. Australia is already a "superpower" in the export of liquefied natural gas, and will maintain that status so long as the gas reserves are in place, notwithstanding some about banning new hydrocarbons projects from The Greens, who had their best-ever election result and will hold the sole balance of power in parliament. The Labor victory should mean the federal government is more aligned with the state governments and with business on climate policy, which should allow them to work together on reducing emissions instead of fighting about it, as during the past nine years of the previous leadership.
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